Hello Friends,

I'm wondering if someone knows of a great (or good!) NYC-based Rheumatologist they could refer me to. There is some suspicious stuff happening and I'd like to see someone who can help me determine if I have SS or something else.

I have been tested for lupus and SS but all came back negative. I'm aware it could be a false negative. I do have Hashimoto's (which many seem to have and it doesn't cause much) and an underactive thyroid which is what's causing the biggest challenge. Once I go on any kind of thyroid dose (bio-identical or generic synthroid), I am only able to tolerate it for a few months until my stomach works iself up to extreme bloat to the point where I don't ever really feel hungry and it's just uncomfortable. As well, constipation sets in. It seems to cause some of the very sypmtoms it's supposed to alleviate. Off the thyroid pill - my body goes back to normalcy re: digestion and elimination. I'm not usually bloated.

I've also had difuse hair shedding which gets better on the thryoid dose - but doesn't ever really go away. The fatigue is much better on it but the stomach discomfort is really bothersome to the point where I've tried to come off it before and have had to go back on due to debillitating fatigue/anxiety. I'm not eating enough because I'm always bloated. I've played with my dose some which helps but inevitably my hair sheds a bit more.

I had an appointment with an endo yesterday and my experience with most doctors including him (that only practice western medicine) is that unless you fall somewhere within their blood test and textbook practices, - they are completely useless and unhelpful. This is much more complicated than that!

Any suggestions for NYC-based doctors that think outside the box and are versed in these kinds of complicaitons would be oh so appreciated!

Thank you!!!

Patricia